Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Medication Can HelpTypes of ADHD MedicationFinding the Right DosageMedication Side EffectsTips for Living With ADHD
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Medication Can Help
Types of ADHD Medication
Finding the Right Dosage
Medication Side Effects
Tips for Living With ADHD
Close
If you are an adult who has been diagnosed withADHD, either recently or when you were a child, you may be wondering if medication is right for you at this point in your life. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, many adults with ADHD find that medication can be an effective treatment option.
People with ADHD who takeADHD medicationmay find that it helps improve their quality of life. However, this is not a cure. Medication is most often used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes therapy and other lifestyle changes.
If you are considering taking medication for ADHD, it is important to work with aqualified mental health professionalto make sure that it is the right decision for you. This article will provide an overview of some of the most common medications used to treat ADHD in adults.
How Medication Can Help Adults With ADHD
There are a number of ways that medication can help adults with ADHD:
ADHD medications can be one tool that helps improve quality of life. However, they should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes other interventions. The goal of medication intervention for ADHD is to help the individual be the best version of themselves, not to change who they are or “fix” them.
Different Types of ADHD Medication Available
There are a number of different options available when it comes to ADHD medication for adults. The type of medication that is best for you will depend on your specific symptoms and biological factors such as genetics.
All medications come with risks for side effects, and if you experience a side effect that is intolerable, ask your prescriber about changing your medication to something that works better for you.
Some common medications used to treat ADHD in adults include:
Stimulants
Common stimulants include the following:
Stimulant medication can be short-acting or long-acting. Short-acting medications enter your system quickly after they are taken, and long-acting (or extended-release) medications take longer to process. Some people are prescribed doses of both short and long-acting stimulants to address symptoms quickly while ensuring that the medication is effective for as long as they need.
While everyone’s response to medication is slightly different, common side effects for stimulant medication include decreased appetite, irritability, sleep disturbance, and headaches, though research shows that these side effects are usually mild.
Non-Stimulants
Common non-stimulants include the following:
Side effects of these medications include difficulty sleeping, fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, and increased blood pressure.
Antidepressants
Common antidepressants include the following:
Antidepressant side effects include abnormal bleeding, cardiovascular issues, dry mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, and sexual side effects. In addition, in a small number of cases, SSRI medication can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, leading the FDA to implement a black box warning in 2004.
Talk to your healthcare provider about which type of ADHD medication is best for you. Stimulants are generally the first line of treatment, but if you cannot tolerate them or they are not effective, there are other options available. If you experience concerning side effects, let your prescriber know right away, and they can help you adjust and find the right medication and dosage to meet your needs.
How to Find the Right Medication and Dosage
It is important to work with your doctor to find the right medication anddosagefor you. Everyone responds differently to medication, so it may take some trial and error to find the right one for you. It is also important to be patient when starting a new medication. It can take several weeks for the full effects of the medication to be seen.
Risks and Side Effects of ADHD Medication
There are some risks and side effects associated with ADHD medication.Common side effects include the following:
Some people may also experience more serious side effects, such asanxietyordepression.It is important to talk to your doctor about any potential side effects before and after starting a new medication.
Stimulant medications, in particular, have the potential for dependence.Non-stimulant medications can also cause dependence, although this is less common.
While people with ADHD have a higher lifetime risk for substance use disorders than those without ADHD, research has shown that stimulant treatment for ADHD does not increase the risk of dependence. In addition, prescribed stimulant medications are often not habit-forming.
Impulsivity and sensory-seeking behavior can increase the risk of substance dependence; however, stimulant treatment for ADHD reduces these symptoms in individuals with ADHD.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it is important to get help. There are a number of treatment options available for people withsubstance misuseproblems.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Tips for Living Well With ADHD
There are a number of things you can do to help manage your ADHD and live well:
If you are considering medication for ADHD, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about your options. Medication is not the only treatment available for ADHD, and it is okay if you decide it is not the right option for you. Even if you find medication helpful, other treatments, such as therapy, lifestyle changes, and support groups can also help.
How to Find an ADHD Support Group
13 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rajeh A, Amanullah S, Shivakumar K, Cole J.Interventions in ADHD: A comparative review of stimulant medications and behavioral therapies.Asian J Psychiatr. 2017;25:131-135. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2016.09.005Stahl SM.Mechanism of action of stimulants in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder:(Brainstorms).J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;71(01):12-13. doi:10.4088/JCP.09bs05890purCraig SG, Davies G, Schibuk L, Weiss MD, Hechtman L.Long-term effects of stimulant treatment for adhd: what can we tell our patients?Curr Dev Disord Rep. 2015;2(1):1-9.Brown KA, Samuel S, Patel DR.Pharmacologic management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: a review for practitioners.Transl Pediatr. 2018;7(1):36-47. doi:10.21037/tp.2017.08.02Gregoire-Bottex M, Soe K.Adverse effects of non-stimulant adhd drugs: atomoxetine, alpha-agonists.CPSP. 2018;7(1):11-14.Verbeeck W, Bekkering GE, Van den Noortgate W, Kramers C.Bupropion for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10(10):CD009504. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009504.pub2Daviss WB.Depressive disorders and adhd. In: Daviss WB, ed.Moodiness in ADHD. Springer International Publishing; 2018:91-109.Wang SM, Han C, Bahk WM, et al.Addressing the side effects of contemporary antidepressant drugs: a comprehensive review.Chonnam Med J. 2018;54(2):101.Cortese S, Adamo N, Del Giovane C, et al.Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(9):727-738. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4Stevens JR, Wilens TE, Stern TA.Using stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: clinical approaches and challenges.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2013;15(2):PCC.12f01472. doi:10.4088/PCC.12f01472Chang Z, Lichtenstein P, Halldner L, et al.Stimulant ADHD medication and risk for substance abuse.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2014;55(8):878-885. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12164Zulauf CA, Sprich SE, Safren SA, Wilens TE.The complicated relationship between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorders.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2014;16(3):436.Assayag N, Berger I, Parush S, Mell H, Bar-Shalita T.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, sensation-seeking, and sensory modulation dysfunction in substance use disorder: a cross sectional two-group comparative study.IJERPH. 2022;19(5):2541.
13 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rajeh A, Amanullah S, Shivakumar K, Cole J.Interventions in ADHD: A comparative review of stimulant medications and behavioral therapies.Asian J Psychiatr. 2017;25:131-135. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2016.09.005Stahl SM.Mechanism of action of stimulants in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder:(Brainstorms).J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;71(01):12-13. doi:10.4088/JCP.09bs05890purCraig SG, Davies G, Schibuk L, Weiss MD, Hechtman L.Long-term effects of stimulant treatment for adhd: what can we tell our patients?Curr Dev Disord Rep. 2015;2(1):1-9.Brown KA, Samuel S, Patel DR.Pharmacologic management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: a review for practitioners.Transl Pediatr. 2018;7(1):36-47. doi:10.21037/tp.2017.08.02Gregoire-Bottex M, Soe K.Adverse effects of non-stimulant adhd drugs: atomoxetine, alpha-agonists.CPSP. 2018;7(1):11-14.Verbeeck W, Bekkering GE, Van den Noortgate W, Kramers C.Bupropion for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10(10):CD009504. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009504.pub2Daviss WB.Depressive disorders and adhd. In: Daviss WB, ed.Moodiness in ADHD. Springer International Publishing; 2018:91-109.Wang SM, Han C, Bahk WM, et al.Addressing the side effects of contemporary antidepressant drugs: a comprehensive review.Chonnam Med J. 2018;54(2):101.Cortese S, Adamo N, Del Giovane C, et al.Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(9):727-738. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4Stevens JR, Wilens TE, Stern TA.Using stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: clinical approaches and challenges.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2013;15(2):PCC.12f01472. doi:10.4088/PCC.12f01472Chang Z, Lichtenstein P, Halldner L, et al.Stimulant ADHD medication and risk for substance abuse.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2014;55(8):878-885. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12164Zulauf CA, Sprich SE, Safren SA, Wilens TE.The complicated relationship between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorders.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2014;16(3):436.Assayag N, Berger I, Parush S, Mell H, Bar-Shalita T.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, sensation-seeking, and sensory modulation dysfunction in substance use disorder: a cross sectional two-group comparative study.IJERPH. 2022;19(5):2541.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Rajeh A, Amanullah S, Shivakumar K, Cole J.Interventions in ADHD: A comparative review of stimulant medications and behavioral therapies.Asian J Psychiatr. 2017;25:131-135. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2016.09.005Stahl SM.Mechanism of action of stimulants in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder:(Brainstorms).J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;71(01):12-13. doi:10.4088/JCP.09bs05890purCraig SG, Davies G, Schibuk L, Weiss MD, Hechtman L.Long-term effects of stimulant treatment for adhd: what can we tell our patients?Curr Dev Disord Rep. 2015;2(1):1-9.Brown KA, Samuel S, Patel DR.Pharmacologic management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: a review for practitioners.Transl Pediatr. 2018;7(1):36-47. doi:10.21037/tp.2017.08.02Gregoire-Bottex M, Soe K.Adverse effects of non-stimulant adhd drugs: atomoxetine, alpha-agonists.CPSP. 2018;7(1):11-14.Verbeeck W, Bekkering GE, Van den Noortgate W, Kramers C.Bupropion for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10(10):CD009504. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009504.pub2Daviss WB.Depressive disorders and adhd. In: Daviss WB, ed.Moodiness in ADHD. Springer International Publishing; 2018:91-109.Wang SM, Han C, Bahk WM, et al.Addressing the side effects of contemporary antidepressant drugs: a comprehensive review.Chonnam Med J. 2018;54(2):101.Cortese S, Adamo N, Del Giovane C, et al.Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(9):727-738. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4Stevens JR, Wilens TE, Stern TA.Using stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: clinical approaches and challenges.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2013;15(2):PCC.12f01472. doi:10.4088/PCC.12f01472Chang Z, Lichtenstein P, Halldner L, et al.Stimulant ADHD medication and risk for substance abuse.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2014;55(8):878-885. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12164Zulauf CA, Sprich SE, Safren SA, Wilens TE.The complicated relationship between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorders.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2014;16(3):436.Assayag N, Berger I, Parush S, Mell H, Bar-Shalita T.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, sensation-seeking, and sensory modulation dysfunction in substance use disorder: a cross sectional two-group comparative study.IJERPH. 2022;19(5):2541.
Rajeh A, Amanullah S, Shivakumar K, Cole J.Interventions in ADHD: A comparative review of stimulant medications and behavioral therapies.Asian J Psychiatr. 2017;25:131-135. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2016.09.005
Stahl SM.Mechanism of action of stimulants in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder:(Brainstorms).J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;71(01):12-13. doi:10.4088/JCP.09bs05890pur
Craig SG, Davies G, Schibuk L, Weiss MD, Hechtman L.Long-term effects of stimulant treatment for adhd: what can we tell our patients?Curr Dev Disord Rep. 2015;2(1):1-9.
Brown KA, Samuel S, Patel DR.Pharmacologic management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: a review for practitioners.Transl Pediatr. 2018;7(1):36-47. doi:10.21037/tp.2017.08.02
Gregoire-Bottex M, Soe K.Adverse effects of non-stimulant adhd drugs: atomoxetine, alpha-agonists.CPSP. 2018;7(1):11-14.
Verbeeck W, Bekkering GE, Van den Noortgate W, Kramers C.Bupropion for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10(10):CD009504. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009504.pub2
Daviss WB.Depressive disorders and adhd. In: Daviss WB, ed.Moodiness in ADHD. Springer International Publishing; 2018:91-109.
Wang SM, Han C, Bahk WM, et al.Addressing the side effects of contemporary antidepressant drugs: a comprehensive review.Chonnam Med J. 2018;54(2):101.
Cortese S, Adamo N, Del Giovane C, et al.Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(9):727-738. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4
Stevens JR, Wilens TE, Stern TA.Using stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: clinical approaches and challenges.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2013;15(2):PCC.12f01472. doi:10.4088/PCC.12f01472
Chang Z, Lichtenstein P, Halldner L, et al.Stimulant ADHD medication and risk for substance abuse.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2014;55(8):878-885. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12164
Zulauf CA, Sprich SE, Safren SA, Wilens TE.The complicated relationship between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorders.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2014;16(3):436.
Assayag N, Berger I, Parush S, Mell H, Bar-Shalita T.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, sensation-seeking, and sensory modulation dysfunction in substance use disorder: a cross sectional two-group comparative study.IJERPH. 2022;19(5):2541.
Arlin Cuncic, MA
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